The nationally recognized Capital Fellows Programs administered by the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento, announces the availability of applications for the Capital Fellows Programs.

The programs include: 

· California Senate Fellows;
· Executive Fellowship Program;
· Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program;
· Judicial Administration Fellowship Program.

Voted as one of the top internships nationwide by www.Vault.com , the Capital Fellows Programs are ranked highly for their combination of meaningful work experience and career opportunities.

These fellowships offer the unique opportunity to work for 10-11 months as a full-time paid staff member in the California State Assembly, California State Senate, California Executive Branch or the California Judiciary.

Fellows participate in policymaking, program development and implementation and gain first-hand experience in the governance and leadership of the most diverse, complex state in the nation.

Prospective Capital Fellows must have a bachelor’s degree (in any major) by Sept. 1, 2016, and a demonstrated interest in state government and public service.

Applicants may apply to one or more of the programs that meet their interests and qualifications. Recent graduates, graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are welcome to apply.

For detailed information about the fellowships and applications, please see our website, www.csus.edu/calst/programs .

The application deadline for all four fellowships is Feb. 8, 2016.

If you have questions regarding the Capital Fellows Programs, please contact the Center for California Studies at 916-278-6906 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Policy Holders Recovery (PHR) a registered, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, is holding a series free public workshops guiding fire survivors on how to best maximize their debris removal and insurance coverage.

“Some policy holders will lose thousands of dollars of coverage which should go towards rebuilding,” said Bob Ellenberg, president of PHR, an insurance consumer advocacy group. “Our workshops will guide you through the process of maximizing your insurance policy, and preventing funds being misallocated to debris removal costs.”

Open to the public, PHR will host upcoming workshops at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 13; and 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at 21208 Calistoga St. in Middletown (the former Funtopia location).

Seating is limited, advanced registration recommended.

To register call 707-987-HOPE or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. –  The next free household hazardous waste dropoff event will be held Friday, Dec. 18, and Saturday, Dec. 19, at Lake County Waste Solutions Transfer Station and Recycling Yard, 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge. Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks (empty), pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet) and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980.

Household hazardous waste dropoff services are provided to Lake County residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this county-funded service and first make an appointment. Business appointments can be made by calling Lake County Waste Solutions at 707-234-6400.

Beginning in June, ask about receiving a free puncture-proof sharps container at one of these events to use for free sharps disposal.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

· Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse and Recycling Center first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.

· Used motor oil and cooking oil can be dropped off by businesses and residents, at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the North Shore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for more locations.

· Electronics (e-waste) can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solutions and at South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The free Household Hazardous Waste drop off program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County households.

For more information about recycling, reusing and reducing, visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us , call the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980 or like Lake County Public Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LCPublicServices?fref=ts .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Kindness and Generosity Scholarship Fund application period is open for the upcoming eight week Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom courses.

The courses begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, at the Reunion Community Room, 21040 Bush Street, Middletown.

Applications will be accepted through Jan. 5 and can be found at http://www.compassion-basedmindfulness.com/courses.html .
 
Local mindfulness teacher and life coach, JoAnn Saccato, MA, offers the scholarships for those wishing to take the eight-week course who may not otherwise be able to attend. There are two full scholarships and numerous partial scholarships available.
 
Additionally, Saccato is offering the course for free to those losing their homes in the Valley fire. "These practices learned over time within a supportive community can be incredibly valuable as we find our way through this long term recovery," she noted.
 
Mindfulness is a body-based practice that invites one to purposefully pay kind, non-judgmental attention to direct experience of senses, thoughts and emotions.

Studies indicate that mindfulness practices can help reduce stress and stress-related illnesses; increase focus and attention; decrease incidences of, and relapses with, depression; help reduce anxiety; aid the immune system; and aid in sleep and digestive disorders. As well, mindfulness has been shown to help with addictive and compulsive disorders.
 
Saccato noted, "Besides reducing stress, compassion-based mindfulness and the supporting tools I teach in the eight-week course help participants gain deeper clarity, a sense of freedom from emotional turmoil and new vitality in their lives."
 
The course includes work with journaling and setting intentions, "giving a well-rounded set of tools to help navigate life, increase satisfaction, reduce stress and gain resiliency,” added Saccato, who is the author of “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice” and her forthcoming book, “Compassion-based Mindfulness for Peace, Clarity and Freedom.”
 
Early application for a scholarship is encouraged, as they are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. 

Full information on the course and links to the scholarship application can be found at  http://www.compassion-basedmindfulness.com/courses.html or by calling 707-350-1719.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch will hold its first meeting of the new year on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

The group will meet at 3:30 p.m. at the Lake County Agriculture Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.

The draft minutes from the Dec. 2 meeting are available at http://lakelive.info/chicouncil/pdffiles/12.2.15minutes.pdf .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Even though the deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency has passed, FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) remain in the state to assist individuals, families and businesses that suffered losses from the wildfires that swept Lake and Calaveras counties.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 1, FEMA and SBA have approved more than $27 million in federal disaster assistance for California survivors.

The registration period for federal assistance ended Nov. 23.

During that timeframe, more than 3,700 Californians contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA.

To date more than $11.3 million has been approved. That includes nearly $7.3 million in housing assistance and nearly $4 million for other needs assistance.

Additionally, the SBA has approved more than $16.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) are open in each county and operated by SBA, where SBA customer service representatives continue to meet with business owners and survivors to help close approved disaster loans and explain Economic Injury Disaster Loans with small businesses and private nonprofit organizations.

The Lake County DLOC in Middletown is located at 21256 Washington St. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FEMA has completed 2,858 home inspections – completing 99 percent of those required.

Those registered are urged to keep in touch with FEMA, especially if there is an address or phone number change.

Survivors can make changes or track their grant status online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.